ORDINANCE ACCEPTING, RATIFYING AND APPROVING THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND FOP, OLC AS TO THE GOLD UNIT AND RATIFYING AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

Mr. Cumston said this came out of Finance with a 3-0 recommendation for approval, I’ll move to suspend, Mr. Thomas 2nd. Roll call: Ayes all, motion carried.

Mr. Cumston moved to adopt, Mr. Thomas 2nd.

Mr. Huddle spoke: When this came out of Finance, this has nothing to do who was getting the raise, in my situation, I wasn’t really questioning the raise, how to make a proper decision on what to do. I was not aware of certain situations.

Auditor Carr said the 3-year contract with benefits, is $119,057. For all 3 years.

Lt. BJ Gruber spoke: I had some concerns with watching the committee. There was some sense that this was too generous of a contract. We wanted to make sure what our thoughts were before we move forward. Self-serving, axed the bottom guys, throwing the city under the bus, they don’t deserve the raise. It’s wrong.

Marion Police Dept. in 2004 members regards to a budget shortfall -agreed to furlough days to save one officer. 2007 nutrition, 2011 agreed to concessions with furlough days because of health care costs, we saved 5 officers. 10% reduction in pay. 2012 we were asked to give concession for 18,000 for every member – also on the heels with 10% reduction. We couldn’t afford that pay cut. 8 people in the drug task force going down to 2 people. Our live did not change. We continue to give concessions in 2012. Remove spouses on health care. I took a 250.00/month pay cut.

I feel that we are a team player for the City. 2.5% raise over the life is 287,247.00. We recognize that is a large sum of money, but it’s not the 600,000 which was stated in the meeting. We have an 85/15 for our insurance, when the City’s portion goes up, our portion goes up. I’m not sure where this information is coming from. It’s not true. Supervisor members have given time and time again to administration, the list goes on and on. 18,000 cuts per officer in 2012. 500-600 a month pay cut. At what point do we stop and can’t do this anymore. We have this issue with retention, we need to keep the people. People are not knocking down our door to become an officer. We have an obligation to keep good people. We don’t want to lower our standards. We want to give the citizens of Marion the best possible.

Mr. Cumston said I can call you 24/7 you would always answer. Fire Dept., Streets – great people here. Lt. Gruber said thank you.

Mr. Daniels said I’m not here to argue. I will say this public, how many people rebuffed by comments and statements that meeting. If you believe that there are no other councilmen that would say the Fire Dept. gave up, but not the Police. You did an excellent job on rebuffing it. On the first page. The Marion Police Dept. has been shrinking nutrition since 2007. I believe we need more policemen.

Auditor Carr said it’s just the GOLD unit what’s on the floor right now. 100,000 the first year, second year is 200,000, the third – is what’s in the first, second and the third, 600,000.00. Lt. Gruber said I couldn’t come up with 600,000.00. Accumulative numbers. Why a 65-member department to a 51 department. You have to ask questions. I will never be that councilmember, any group say this is what we need, and I’ll say OK, I’m not that guy. You gave me straight answers, I appreciate that. Lt. Gruber said I heard you say why would be reward these guys, when they didn’t play ball. I could go back to 2011 and get a 6,000-pay cut that year. Economy we can’t control that. That’s a tough choice to watch 15 guys walk out. I wish we were working with 69 cops at one time, it’s not a reality. Until we get more tax revenue, nothing will change. 18,000 apiece, we made concessions. I couldn’t do it – don’t hold that against us, it was tough decisions, it was a struggle.

Mr. Daniels said the decision that this City makes – spending decisions, Police, Fire Sewer, whatever, the general Fund. If I in July that I knew we were going to lay off 15 policemen, that was after a 3 million expenditure was made with a swimming pool. Lt. Gruber said that’s outside our control. Mr. Daniels said I’m speaking to a lot of people. It is accumulative – 2022 – 2024 – maybe another recession is coming, it’s good now, get pay raises, consideration for them, to keep policeman 6-7 years down the road, it all adds up. Lt. Gruber said I live here my entire life, as a taxpayer, I appreciate you as a good steward concerning our tax dollars.

I appreciate you listening, we wanted to provide you with this information. Mr. Daniels said I can’t make everybody happy all of the time, that’s not me. I’m sorry. Lt. Gruber said if you see the numbers and do your research, I hope you’ll change your perspective on us concerning the 15-person layoff. Mr. Daniels said I’m going to hold onto this.

Mr. Huddle said I’m the newest guy on this boat, I feel it’s important to me to represent taxpayers. I was not familiar with it. I was not made aware of enough numbers. After all the discussion, I felt better for it. I asked Mrs. Carr to come and say something. I appreciate that fact that you came in talked to us. I’m familiar with negotiations not with arbitration. With everything you all do with the awareness of the community and being out there all time, with all the kids knowing you. I appreciate that.

Lt. Gruber said it’s a team effort. Ms. Cunningham said thank you for your sacrifices.

RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE RE-APPOINTMENT, BY THE MAYOR, OF MICHAEL NICOLOSI TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MARION PORT AUTHORITY AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

Mayor Schertzer spoke: the Port Authority is used in the economic development tool box for the County of Marion. The Port Authority is a useful tool in the community, but it’s not widely used. They only meet when necessary. Mr. Nicolosi is a life-long resident of Marion County. He agreed for another term. I ask for your consideration as well.